Visual snow

[cm9900]

I am trying to figure out if my visual snow would be worth pursuing further. I recently seen my doctor for a presumed unrelated illness (dizziness. I have only very recently been experiencing dizziness.) and I told her about having tinnitus and visual snow. She gave me an odd look and preceded to ask what visual snow is. After explaining to her, she thought I should see a neurologist (for the visual snow). The thing is, I don't seem to find much information as to what causes it other than drug abuse which I've never done before.

I've had visual snow and tinnitus since I can remember (at least age 4). It seems to get worse when I take certain medication (example: When I was taking an antibiotic) or am feeling faint (asthma attack recently). Any information would be greatly appreciated as it'd help me weigh whether it'd be worth addressing further. Thank you.

Also, a few things to add:
I've had my eyes checked multiple times including eye dilation and nothing was found.
I have 20/15 vision.
It was suggested I may have high blood pressure by the eye doctor but my doctor has told me I do not have high blood pressure. This is why she thinks I should see a neurologist.
I will some times get an "out of body" feel. I don't really know how to explain it other than feeling than feeling like I'm looking at the world as an outsider. I notice my visual snow seems to become more noticeable. Whether this is because I zero in on it or it actually is worse, I am not sure.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. You need to consult a neurologist for ruling out MS. MS is a chronic demyelinating disorder where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Hope this helps. Take care.

[cm9900]

Oh, I forgot to add I have been experiencing migraines occasionally for the past few years. I do not know if the visual snow is related but I do not believe migraines are the direct cause as I've had visual snow all my life and have only recently experienced migraines.